JOHN BISSET/Things
Judge Kevin Phillips described Raihia Wichman-Thompson’s actions during a protection order violation as premeditated violence when he appeared in court in Timaru on Wednesday. (File photo)
A 24-year-old Timaru man attacked his ex-partner as she cringed to protect a baby after discovering the address of her emergency home.
Raihia Wichman-Thompson was sentenced to 13 months in prison by Judge Kevin Phillips, who said his tendency to resort to violence against women was “extremely alarming” during the Timaru District Court’s sentencing on Wednesday.
Wichman-Thompson was charged with violating a protection order, assaulting his ex-partner, two other assaults, harassment and driving while suspended in connection with incidents that took place in April and August 2021.
Judge Phillips said the August event was clearly the more serious of the two, as Wichman-Thompson had already been convicted of the April event, and it was a “serious violation” of a protection order against family violence.
“Obviously you and the victim had a relationship, but it ended 12 months ago.
“Your ex-spouse and children were at an emergency housing address that was kept secret from you, but somehow you found out.”
Judge Phillips said Wichman-Thompson drove to the address after taking drugs and knocked on the door, which was opened by the victim carrying a baby, and began swearing and screaming abuse and saying, “She could never hide from you”. †
There were three children in the house and the victim managed to exit the property and have Wichman-Thompson, who was holding a sharp metal object, followed.
Judge Phillips said the victim was “afraid that you were going to use it (the sharp metal object)” and suffered a minor cut.
“She crouched down by a fence in a move to protect the baby and then you (Wichman-Thompson) punched her in the side of the head three times.”
Judge Phillips said he was extremely fortunate that the victim suffered only bruises and a small cut.
Judge Phillips then outlined the attacks that took place on April 15 in which Wichman-Thompson went to an address, asked to borrow $10 and when he refused, he “lost it” and began “cursing and yelling,” taking a of women in the mouth. Another woman tried to make him leave the room, but Wichman-Thompson also beat her.
The court heard about Wichman-Thompson’s previous crimes, including intentionally wounding him in November 2014 when he was said to have been 16, domestic violence in 2018 and violating a protection order in 2020.
Judge Phillips said the aggravating features of this latest violation were that it was intentional and actual violence, unlawful presence on property, blows to the head and the vulnerability of children.
“You had found the hiding place, arrived drunk, it was clearly premeditated violence, swearing, screaming and threats of death, all armed with a sharp object and the victim crouched in what would be to protect the child… ”
Judge Phillips said the starting point for violating the protection order was 18 months, with four months for assaulting the victim, four months for insulting during his sentence and two months for previous convictions.
Judge Phillips “reluctantly” gave the 25% discount for an early conviction and another 10% as a mental health benefit, with a 16-month end point, followed by a three-month deduction for the period Wichman-Thompson was on electronic controlled bail.
“I am sentenced to one year and one month in prison for violating the protection order and I am not granting leave to request house arrest.”
Judge Phillips also imposed six-month terms of supervision from the sentence’s end date.